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LSU defensive tackle Greg Gilmore's strict upbringing helps him on the football field

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Defensive tackle Greg Gilmore (99) participates in a drill during the first day of LSU football spring practice at the Charles McClendon Practice Facility, Saturday, March 8, 2014. (Hilary Scheinuk Photo).

"Friday" is just one of the many films that LSU freshman defensive tackle has never seen, which his teammates consider a quintessential film. Just don't ask him about it because it's a list that never stops.

"It's hard for me to even get into stuff like this--it's so constant," Gilmore said. "I've never seen 'Friday,' I heard 'The Wood' was filmed in North Carolina where I'm from and I've seen that. (My teammates) always go to me first to see if I've seen the movies."

Gilmore's childhood differs from most. His father, Glenn Gilmore, is a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and raised Greg strictly growing up. He will be the first one to tell you how different his childhood was compared to other kids.

Story by

Tommy Romanach

It didn't stop at the lack of films watched, though. Glenn's discipline expanded to the classroom, where he made sure his son gave his maximum effort. He always wanted the best from Greg, whether it be math, science or calligraphy.

Greg was not exactly a fan of the lifestyle.

"I remember when I was a kid, I would put a loop when I'd write a 'G' on my name and he'd crumble the paper up and make me start over. It was little stuff like that." Greg said. "Growing up I hated it, but as I got older I understood."

Greg said that his father did not stress good grades as much as he stressed giving the best effort possible. The one thing Glenn didn't allow was disciplinary issues, and these rules helped steer Greg to a successful high school football career.

Greg recorded more than 75 tackles in his junior year and a career high of 90 tackles in his senior season. That season contributed to him being named to the AP North Carolina All-State team.

Senior defensive back Luke Boyd understands everything Greg went through growing up in a military family. Boyd is an active member of the Marine Corps and easily fathoms the principles Glenn has instilled in Greg.

"I was so hard-headed as a younger guy I just didn't listen to what the Marines could offer me," Boyd said. "I learned when I got older ... now I think what I've learned there is essential to raising my kids."

Gilmore said the main reason he came to LSU was the defensive pipeline to the NFL the school had produced. Growing up in North Carolina, he knew that the SEC was the superior league for those who wanted to go pro, and LSU was his best fit.

Since Gilmore arrived at LSU, he has found the coaching staff's style eerily familiar. The mottos now are about discipline and giving everything one has, just like he learned growing up in school.

"The stuff they do in the Marine Corps is very, very close to what we do here," Gilmore said. "Whether it's the way things are planned out, the way you discipline or the way you have consequences for all your actions, the similarities are all there."